These seven panels are scenes from the martyrdom of Saint Apollonia. Originally, they were created as part of an altarpiece for the church of Sant’ Apollonia in Florence. Parts of the collection have been separated at times and exhibited at various museums and
collections. There was most likely a large central panel with an image of the Virgin Mary, but that has been lost through the various moves of the panels. It is said that the scheme of the work and the frame was provided by Michelangelo, who had a niece in the convent of the church. Francesco Granacci worked alongside Michelangelo in Florence, both studying under the same master painter.